Cleveland Sports Forum

Michael Bourn should be ready for wild card Wednesday: Cleveland Indians insider

Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group

on October 02, 2013 at 12:31 AM, updated October 02, 2013 at 12:45 AM



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Reporters approached center fielder Michael Bourn before Tuesday afternoon's workout at Progressive Field, but he couldn't talk because he had a private workout of his own to attend.

Bourn, with a host of Indians' officials and medical personnel watching, cut, sprinted and back pedaled in the outfield. Then he came into the infield and ran the bases. When it was over, Bourn fist pumped GM Chris Antonetti as if to say "I'm ready to go."

In Sunday's 5-1 victory over the Twins at Target Field, Bourn left the game in the ninth inning with soreness behind the left knee. Tuesday he tested it to see if he'd be ready to play Wednesday night's AL Wild Card game against the Rays at Progressive Field.

"He felt good. . .that was encouraging," said Antonetti.

The Indians have until 10 a.m. Wednesday to name their 25-man wild-card roster.

"We've worked through most of the roster," said Antonetti. "There were a number of tough decisions. There were a number of guys deserving to be on the roster.

"With the wild-card format being different than a traditional postseason series, there are different ways you can configure the roster."

Francona said Monday that the roster would probably include a nine-man bullpen for Wednesday's all-or-nothing game.

"That's all Tito wants is a nine-man bullpen?" joked Antonetti. "I had talk him down from a 24-man bullpen. He'd have relievers in the outfield."

Different look: If Antonetti had his choice, the Indians and Rays would be a starting a mini-series Wednesday night instead of playing a one winner-take-all game.

"If I had my preference, it would probably be a little bit of a different structure," said Antonetti, "but we're excited to be playing."

Antonetti said Cubs GM Theo Epstein had an intriguing idea about the two wild card teams playing a doubleheader on one day and a third game the next day if it was needed.

"I like that better because it gives you an opportunity to play three games if you need to," said Antonetti. "But I don't think anything is on the horizon for changing anything soon."

Stay tuned: When asked if the Indians would include Chris Perez on the wild-card roster, Antonetti said, "We'll let you know Wednesday."

What's in a name? Asked if the Indians felt they were a team of destiny after Jason Giambi hit a pinch-hit, game-winning two-run homer in the ninth inning against Chicago on Sept. 24, Nick Swisher said, "We might that Cinderella team. You can call us what you want, but we're in the playoffs and happy to be here."

Catch this: There is a game of catch on a Sunday afternoon in the back yard and there is the game of catch Ubaldo Jimenez and Danny Salazar were playing last offseason at the Indians baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.

Manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway were there to get to know Jimenez. That was Francona's introduction to Salazar and he asked Callaway who he was.

"Mickey told me, "You're going to like this guy. He's going to fly through the system.'"

All that excitement over a game of catch?

"Basically, Danny throws a ball that never gets more than eight feet off the ground and it goes about 400 feet," said Callaway. "Not too many people can do that."

Salazar is starting Wednesday's wild card game for the Tribe.

Finally: In flying from Tampa Bay to New York, New York to Toronto, Toronto to Texas and Texas to Cleveland it's estimated that the Rays have covered 3,627 miles. Should they win Wednesday, they'd travel to Boston for the Division series. . .The Indians have had scouts following all the potential playoffs teams since early September.

The Tribe's dynamic ticket pricing system, which is used by at least 20 big league teams, will remain in place for next year. It has drawn criticism from some fans, but the Indians will continue to offer people cheaper tickets as an incentive to buy early instead of expecting to get cheaper priced tickets on the day of the game.

I am one who doesn't like it. And I really dislike the fact that they didn't have the cheapest (upper deck outfield) seats on sale EVER, even on game days.

paul hoynes ‏@hoynsie 1m
Chris Perez makes wild card roster. Indians carrying 11 pitches, 14 position players.

Catchers: Santana, Gomes;Inf: Avilles, Cabrera, Chisenhall, Giambi, Kipnis, Ramirez, Swisher, OF Bourn, Brantley, Carson, Stubbs, Raburn

Pitchers: Albers, Allen, Hill, Kazmir, Kluber, Masterson, Perez, Rzepczynski, Salazar, Shaw, Smith on club.

Perez is the only surprise there. I don't see how he can be trusted in a "win or go home" game like tonight!

JOE will be happy to see Ramirez' name on there!

Don't think he will be on roster if they win. Need to put Jiminez on.

By "he" do you mean Ramirez or Perez?

Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays release rosters for tonight's AL wild-card game
Managers Terry Francona of the Tribe and Joe Maddon of the Rays have chosen their rosters for tonight's game at Progressive Field. (AP)

By Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group

on October 02, 2013 at 10:05 AM, updated October 02, 2013 at 11:14 AM




CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians will enter Wednesday night's AL wild card game against the Rays with an 11-man pitching staff, including eight relievers.

Chris Perez, who lost his closer's job over the weekend, did make the roster. Vinnie Pestano, a critical part of the Tribe's bullpen for the last two years, did not.

Here's what the 25-man roster looks like:

Pitchers (11): Matt Albers, Cody Allen, Rich Hill, Scott Kazmir, Corey Kluber, Justin Masterson, Perez, Marc Rzepczynski, Danny Salazar, Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith.

Catchers (two): Yan Gomes, Carlos Santana.

Infield (seven): Mike Aviles, Asdrubal Cabrera, Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Giambi, Jason Kipnis, Jose Ramirez and Nick Swisher.

Outfield (five): Michael Bourn, Michael Brantley, Matt Carson, Drew Stubbs, Ryan Raburn.

Ramirez and Carson made the roster as September call ups.

Carlos Carrasco, Nick Hagadone, Ubaldo Jimenez, CC Lee, Zach McAllister, Pestano, Kelly Shoppach and Josh Tomlin did not make the wild-card roster. If the Indians advance to the ALDS, the roster will be reset.

The Rays are going with a nine-man pitching staff and three catchers. Former Indian Jamey Wright made the pitching staff, while Chris Gimenez, another former Indian, will be one of the three catchers.

Here's is their wild card roster:

Pitchers (nine): Chris Archer, Alex Cobb, Jake McGee, Matt Moore, Joel Peralta, Fernando Rodney, Alex Torres, Wright and Wesley Wright.

Catchers (three): Gimenez, Jose Labaton and Jose Molina.

Infield (four): Yunel Escobar, James Loney, Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist.

Outfield (nine): David DeJesus, Sam Fuld, Desmond Jennings, Kelly Johnson, Matt Joyce, Kevin Kiermaier, Wil Myers, Sean Rodriguez and Delmon Young.

Michael Bourn should be ready for wild card Wednesday: Cleveland Indians inside
By Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Reporters approached center fielder Michael Bourn before Tuesday afternoon's workout at Progressive Field, but he couldn't talk because he had a private workout of his own to attend.

Bourn, with a host of Indians' officials and medical personnel watching, cut, sprinted and back pedaled in the outfield. Then he came into the infield and ran the bases. When it was over, Bourn fist pumped GM Chris Antonetti as if to say "I'm ready to go."

In Sunday's 5-1 victory over the Twins at Target Field, Bourn left the game in the ninth inning with soreness behind the left knee. Tuesday he tested it to see if he'd be ready to play Wednesday night's AL Wild Card game against the Rays at Progressive Field.

"He felt good. . .that was encouraging," said Antonetti.

The Indians have until 10 a.m. Wednesday to name their 25-man wild-card roster.

"We've worked through most of the roster," said Antonetti. "There were a number of tough decisions. There were a number of guys deserving to be on the roster.

"With the wild-card format being different than a traditional postseason series, there are different ways you can configure the roster."

Francona said Monday that the roster would probably include a nine-man bullpen for Wednesday's all-or-nothing game.

"That's all Tito wants is a nine-man bullpen?" joked Antonetti. "I had talk him down from a 24-man bullpen. He'd have relievers in the outfield."

Different look: If Antonetti had his choice, the Indians and Rays would be a starting a mini-series Wednesday night instead of playing a one winner-take-all game.

"If I had my preference, it would probably be a little bit of a different structure," said Antonetti, "but we're excited to be playing."

Antonetti said Cubs GM Theo Epstein had an intriguing idea about the two wild card teams playing a doubleheader on one day and a third game the next day if it was needed.

"I like that better because it gives you an opportunity to play three games if you need to," said Antonetti. "But I don't think anything is on the horizon for changing anything soon."

Stay tuned: When asked if the Indians would include Chris Perez on the wild-card roster, Antonetti said, "We'll let you know Wednesday."

What's in a name? Asked if the Indians felt they were a team of destiny after Jason Giambi hit a pinch-hit, game-winning two-run homer in the ninth inning against Chicago on Sept. 24, Nick Swisher said, "We might that Cinderella team. You can call us what you want, but we're in the playoffs and happy to be here."

Catch this: There is a game of catch on a Sunday afternoon in the back yard and there is the game of catch Ubaldo Jimenez and Danny Salazar were playing last offseason at the Indians baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.

Manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway were there to get to know Jimenez. That was Francona's introduction to Salazar and he asked Callaway who he was.

"Mickey told me, "You're going to like this guy. He's going to fly through the system.'"

All that excitement over a game of catch?

"Basically, Danny throws a ball that never gets more than eight feet off the ground and it goes about 400 feet," said Callaway. "Not too many people can do that."

Salazar is starting Wednesday's wild card game for the Tribe.

Finally: In flying from Tampa Bay to New York, New York to Toronto, Toronto to Texas and Texas to Cleveland it's estimated that the Rays have covered 3,627 miles. Should they win Wednesday, they'd travel to Boston for the Division series. . .The Indians have had scouts following all the potential playoffs teams since early September.

I hope it works out for Salazar. I would have gone with Masterson.

I'm sure Salazar (and all the pitchers) will have a short lease. That's how Tito rolls.

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Francona opts for extra arms on Wild Card roster

Indians to carry 11 pitchers, including Kluber and Kazmir for bullpen depth

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 10/2/2013 11:09 A.M. ET

CLEVELAND --

Indians manager Terry Francona likes to have as much depth as possible when it comes to pitching. He made that clear once again with the structure of his roster for the American League Wild Card Game.

For Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET clash with the Rays at Progressive Field, Francona took 11 pitchers, including two extra starting pitchers (Corey Kluber and Scott Kazmir ) for his bullpen. The position-player side of the roster included the usual suspects, with the exception of two roles players (infielder Jose Ramirez and outfielder Matt Carson ) off the bench.

AL Wild Card

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti quipped on Tuesday that he had to talk Francona down from a 24-man pitching staff. The manager narrowed the list down to the following arms: starter Danny Salazar, plus right-handers Justin Masterson, Cody Allen, Joe Smith, Matt Albers, Bryan Shaw, Chris Perez and Kluber, along with lefties Marc Rzepczynski, Rich Hill and Kazmir.

Cleveland chose to keep Perez on the roster, even though he was recently stripped of his role as the team's closer. For the time being, Francona has been going with a closer-by-committee setup that could potentially include Masterson -- the Tribe's Opening Day starter -- serving as a multi-inning option in the later frames. Smith and Allen, the team's main setup men, are also options for the ninth.

Masterson is in a relief role at the moment due to being sidelined for most of September with a left oblique injury, which he suffered in an outing against the Orioles on Sept. 2. The big sinkerballer is currently cleared to throw up to 65 pitches, making him a possibility for three or four innings out of the bullpen.

Kluber and Kazmir last started for the Indians on Friday and Saturday, respectively, putting them in the mix for availability for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

There were no surprises on the roster in terms of the Tribe's main position players.

The infield consists of first baseman Nick Swisher, All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and utility man Mike Aviles. The outfield includes left fielder Michael Brantley, center fielder Michael Bourn, right fielder Drew Stubbs and utility man Ryan Raburn. Cleveland will carry two catchers: Yan Gomes and Carlos Santana.

The Indians added a trio of role players in veteran Jason Giambi, Ramirez and Carson. Giambi has served as a pinch-hitter and part-time DH all season, while the 21-year-old Ramirez gives Cleveland a fleet-footed pinch-running option. Carson (7-for-11 at the plate in 20 games) offers strong late-inning defense for the outfield.

There had been questions about whether Bourn -- sidelined with a left leg injury late in Sunday's game in Minnesota -- would be available, but the center fielder ran through a full workout on Tuesday with no issues.

Cleveland Indians are in the Wild Card because the Dolans stuck with Shapiro and Antonetti, and that led to the hiring of Francona: Terry Pluto blog

on October 02, 2013 at 5:45 PM, updated October 02, 2013 at 6:00 PM



CLEVELAND -- At the end of last season, Tribe CEO Paul Dolan made the decision to double-down on his front office of President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Chris Antonetti.

Dolan said there "never was a decision to be made," because he was committed to Shapiro and Antonetti -- despite the Tribe losing at least 93 games in three of the last four years.

When I talked with Dolan about this a few weeks ago, he mentioned that Shapiro and Antonetti are "universally respected" in baseball and he didn't want to lose either one.

Because Dolan stuck with Shapiro and Antonetti, the Indians are in the Wild Card.

Don't think so?

Ask yourself if the team would have won 92 games without Manager Terry Francona.

Now ask yourself why Francona decided to manage the Indians?

It was the presence of Shapiro and Antonetti.

Most fans know Francona spent the 2001 season as a special advisor to the Tribe. It came after he was fired as manager in Philadelphia. During that 2001 season, Francona got to know Shapiro and Antonetti, and their professional and personal relationship remained strong over the years.

So when the Tribe managerial job opened, Francona became a serious candidate -- because he wanted to worked for Shapiro and Antonetti.

But it's deeper than the fact that these men are friends.

Francona is 54. He was fired in 2011 after a September collapse (7-20 record) in Boston hat cost the Red Sox a playoff berth. It tarnished Francona's reputation.

This veteran manager with two World Series rings was not going somewhere unless he believed that he had a chance to win.

And not unless he was sure the front office was strong.

Did Francona know the Tribe would win 92 games?

Of course not.

But you can be sure he didn't expect a repeat of 2012. The 68-94 record and the total sense of loss and futility that hung over the franchise was something Francona had to know could be changed.

Francona insists he had no promises about the team increasing payroll.

But Francona was making about $4 million a year managing the Red Sox. He signed a 4-year deal with the Tribe. It's a safe guess that his salary is in the range of what he was paid in Boston.

If you are the Dolans and you are going to hire Francona to pump some life into the franchise, then you need to spend some money.

The Tribe did just that on free agents Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Mark Reynolds and Brett Myers. Francona is not the reason the players came, but he helped. If the money is close, the reputation of a manager can help close the deal. And Francona certainly was a factor attracting Ryan Raburn, Scott Kazmir and Jason Giambi -- who all signed non-guaranteed contracts.

The remarkable part of this story is that Francona won more games with the Tribe than he did in his last two years in Boston (89 in 2010 and 90 in 2011). This is his first playoff appearance since 2009.

Just to underline the connection between the manager and the front office, there is a clause in Francona's contract that allows him to leave if Shapiro and Antonetti are fired.

Yes, he likes Cleveland. He feels bond because his father Tito played here when Francona was a small child. He grew up in Pennsylvania. But the reason he came was to work with this front office.

And give credit to the Dolans who made the right move with Shapiro and Antonetti by making no move at all when it came their positions.